Upcoming Events
2020 Retreat
When? April 17-19, 2020
Where? Queen’s House of Retreats in Saskatoon. Location is 601 Taylor St. W. It is on the riverbank and has lovely grounds for a walk.
Our Retreat is called “Celebrating Indigenous Roots” and will focus on Metis and First Nation textiles. Keynote Speaker Audrey Dreaver, a First Nations Artist, will speak about historical Indigenous textiles in her presentation "Beyond Beads and Feathers: Indigenous Weaving Traditions". Karon Shmon of the Gabriel Dumont Institute will speak about Metis textiles in "Make it Beautiful, Make it Métis". Workshops include beading, where you will be making a beaded daisy chain bracelet, Metis fingerweaving, how to use cochineal to dye a silk scarf, and a hands on lesson in creative spinning.
Other activities include:
- Baby Blanket Challenge: Bring a handcrafted baby blanket (handspun, handwoven, knitted or felted, any size, colour etc). These will be on display during the retreat and then donated on behalf of the SWS
- Handwoven Tea Towel Exchange: Bring one, get one, bring six, get six.
- Silent Auction: What gathers dust for you might be someone else’s treasure! Fibre-related items are encouraged, but other items do sneak in. All proceeds go to SWS.
- Fashion Show: Bring anything you’ve woven, spun & knit, or felted. The show is very informal and each person models their own outfit—unless you can rope someone else into doing it for you!
- Spinning Nook: We will provide a spinning area for who that wish to bring their wheel. People are free to come and go, spin and share ideas.
- Awards: People’s Choice (Baby Blanket Challenge)
- Gabriel Dumont Institute Tour: GDI has a wonderful new building which includes a museum, gallery, and special collections. If you are interested in taking a tour on Saturday afternoon during self-directed time, please let us know on the application form.
These events are great for socializing and are very inspiring experiences. We encourage you to register; the overall fee is $250.
Full details and a registration form can be found in the pdf below. Registration starts on February 14 and is scheduled to end on March 22, unless all spaces are filled before then.
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